Bear Safety

Good bear safety and awareness helps prevent conflicts and keeps both bears and human safe.

Coast to Cascades is working to restore grizzly bear populations in Southwest British Columbia. Humans remain the biggest cause of grizzly bear deaths in BC whether due to direct conflict or indirectly through habitat loss. If we are going to be successful in reviving grizzlies, we as humans need learn to live with them safely and respectfully.

Know Your Bears

In Southwest BC a lot of us are used to living around black bears. However, we may not be as familiar with seeing grizzly bears out on the land. As grizzly populations slowly begin to grow in some regions, such as around Whistler and Squamish, it's important to be able to identify the two species.

Black Bear

No shoulder hump

Front claws are short and dark

Have tall, prominent ears

Have a long, straight snout

Pawprint leaves a curved line made by the front toes

Colour varies from black to brown

Grizzly Bear

Have a prominent shoulder hump

Front claws are long and light

Have small, rounded ears

Have dished snout and face

Paw print leaves a striaght line made by the front toes

Colour varies from black to brown

Bear Safe Communities

Keeping bears out of human spaces is an important part of keeping both bears and humans safe. As urban areas encroach on bear territory, we need to reduce the incentives for hungry bears to seek out human populated areas. We can do this by:

Give bears space: If a bear passes through don't crowd it. Keep children and pets inside.

Make bears unwelcome: As long as the bear has a clear avenue of escape, try to scare it away with loud noises. After it's gone remove any non-natural foods that might have attracted it.

Call a conservation officer: Call 1-877-952-7277 to report (1) a bear sighting in a human area, (2) a bear conflict, (3) wildlife attractants like open garbage. Conservation officers have many non-lethal ways of managing bear conflict. Conditioning a bear to avoid human areas early on reduces the risk of a fatal conflict down the road and could save the bear's life!

Bear Safety for Hikers

When hiking in the backcountry it is important to remember that we are in the bears' home and that we act respectfully. Seeing bears out on the land can be an amazing experience, from a safe distance of course!

Be alert: Be on the look out for bear signs such as scat, tree marks or tracks. Also pay attention if you are around a potential bear food source such as a berry patch or salmon run.

Let bears know you're there: Alert bears in the area to your presence by making a lot of noise and trying to keep the wind to your back.

Bear encounters: Stop, speak in a calm voice and back away slowly. Never go near a bear cub, as it may provoke the mother bear to attack.

Recognize the signs of bear attack: A bear which is growling, "popping" it's jaw or has its ears laid back is warning you that you're too close. Bears will often bluff charge, stopping short of actual contact. As hard as it sounds don't panic; running, waving your arms or attacking the bear will only provoke it.

In case of a bear attack: If you are attacked by a defensive bear (defending food, cubs or making lots of noise prior to attack) drop to ground face down and try to protect your stomach and vital organs. You have invaded the bear's space, it'll threaten you, knock you down and leave. In the rare case you are attacked by a predatory bear, it'll approach quietly, low to the ground with ears back. In this case fight back HARD. Use any deterrent or weapon you have to stop the bear.

Bring bear spray: Bear spray is an extremely effective, non-lethal bear deterrent. Learning how to use it and packing it on trips is a great way to keep you and bears safe.

Bear Safety for Hunters

As a hunter a lot of your actions such as moving stealthily, approaching game from downwind and handling big game carcasses put you at greater risk of a bear attack than the average hiker. It is even more important to alert and cautious at all times.

Bear spray: Carry bear spray at all times IN ADDITION TO YOUR FIREARM. Bear spray is shown to be a much more effective defensive option against a bear than a fire arm. It is easier to deploy a cloud of spray than a defensive shot at a charging bear.

Southern BC grizzlies are endangered: Due to their low numbers it is illegal to hunt grizzly bears in southern BC. Hunters are expected to do everything possible to reduce bear conflicts and prevent killing bears unnecessarily.